Welcome to the Computer Hardware section of our blog, the go-to resource for enthusiasts, professionals, and everyone in between who wants to get the most out of their computing experience. Whether you’re looking to upgrade a specific component or planning to build a PC from scratch, this category delves into the essential hardware elements that define the performance and functionality of your computer.
CPUs (Central Processing Units)
Relevant Brands: Intel, AMD
The CPU is the brain of your computer, where most calculations take place. From Intel’s Core series to AMD’s Ryzen line-up, we examine the specifications, performance benchmarks, and power efficiency to help you choose the right processor for your needs.
GPUs (Graphics Processing Units)
Relevant Brands: NVIDIA, AMD
Whether you’re gaming, rendering video, or running complex simulations, a powerful GPU is essential. NVIDIA’s GeForce series and AMD’s Radeon cards are the primary contenders, each with their unique features and capabilities.
Power Supplies
Relevant Brands: Corsair, EVGA, Seasonic
A robust and efficient power supply is the backbone of any stable system. We discuss the importance of wattage, efficiency ratings, and brand reliability, focusing on leading manufacturers like Corsair, EVGA, and Seasonic.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Relevant Brands: Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill
RAM is where your computer stores data for quick read and write access. We look into speed, capacity, and compatibility, highlighting top brands such as Kingston, Corsair, and G.Skill that offer a range of options to suit various needs.
PC Cases
Relevant Brands: NZXT, Cooler Master, Fractal Design
The PC case is not just an aesthetic choice; it impacts cooling, upgradeability, and system layout. Brands like NZXT and Cooler Master offer various designs and form factors, from minimalist to RGB-heavy, that cater to different tastes and requirements.
Motherboards
Relevant Brands: ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte
The motherboard is the central hub connecting all your components. We delve into form factors, chipsets, and expandability, focusing on reputable brands like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte.
Storage: NVMe, SSD, Hard Drives
Relevant Brands: Samsung, Western Digital, Seagate, Crucial
Your storage solution influences not only how much data you can keep but also how fast you can access it. We cover the speed advantages of NVMe drives, the reliability of SSDs, and the capacity benefits of traditional hard drives, examining offerings from brands like Samsung, Western Digital, and Seagate.
As we venture deeper into this digital age, understanding the hardware that powers your computing experience has never been more critical. This category aims to provide you with the essential information, objective comparisons, and expert insights needed to make well-informed decisions on your computer hardware. So go ahead, explore, and build the machine of your dreams!
Qualcomm has been expanding their Snapdragon range of system on chips to fit more applications that mobile. One of the most ambitious plans is to bring the Arm-based chips to Windows PCs. With the help of Microsoft it has been semi successful, I reviewed one of the first laptop with the SD835 earlier in the…
Because the RTX 2080 Ti wasn’t expensive enough or powerful enough in the first place, Nvidia has launched their latest Titan card the Titan RTX. The Titan range is a weird consumer/prosumer crossover card that should be used by people that can’t afford or don’t need a Quadro/Tesla but ends up being used more frequently in excessive…
AMD look like they will continue to dominate with their Ryzen AM4 platform in 2019. New details of the X570 chipset have been leaked showing some interesting features. The new information comes from several slides that have been leaked from a presentation made by Gigabyte. These slides mentioned that Matisse, the codename for the upcoming Ryzen…
If you thought the new Geforce RTX 2080 Ti was expensive you had better brace yourself for the impending arrival of the Geforce RTX Titan. The Titan range of cards has always been more of a professional or prosumer card but it is typically a souped-up version of the flagship consumer model costing several thousand. This inevitably leads…
I have reviewed a LOT of Thermaltake cases recently, so it is nice to get something a little different to try out with the new TteSports Shock Pro 7.1 RGB Gaming Headset. Tt eSPORTS is a relatively new subdivision of Thermaltake focussing on peripherals and accessories for competitive gamers. The Tt eSports Shock Pro 7.1…
In recent years Huawei has grown exponentially in the mobile space becoming the 2nd largest phone company in the world. Now they have their eyes set on the laptop market with the Matebook X Pro, which is potentially one of the best laptops of the year. The Matebook X Pro 13.9” 1.33KG frame puts it…
Samsung has launched a new range of 2.5-inch form factor SATA interface SSDs. The new Samsung 860 QVO SSD targets entry-level consumers but will also appeal to users wanting to replace large mechanical drives with SSDs. The new drives start off with at 1TB and go all the way up to 4TB so this represents…
The Zyxel Multy X is an excellent mesh Wi-Fi system for home users that has strong and reliable performance thanks to its 4×4 5 GHz backhaul radio. Zyxel is now hoping to replicate its success in the small business environment with the Multy Plus AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi System. It retains most of the same specification…
I reviewed the excellent Acer Swift 3 back in February which was one of the first laptops on the market to feature the new AMD Ryzen 5 2500U processor with an integrated RX Vega 8 GPU. The Acer Nitro 5 uses the same CPU, but this budget gaming laptop now has the new Radeon RX…
Most of the monitors I cover are either budget orientated such as the 27-inch AOC or gaming focused like the Acer Z35, or a bit of both like the Acer Nitro RG2170. However professional users require something a little different if you are doing design or photography of any sort you need a monitor that…
I previously reviewed the superb Zyxel Nebula cloud managed POE switch, and access point and my main gripe with it was the very loud fans. Most business will likely put the switch in a dedicated room so won’t be an issue, but for smaller companies or prosumers it is likely that it will be located…
During my time with the well-priced entry-level Nitro N50 gaming PC, I was using the Acer Nitro RG270 gaming monitor that was sent with it. This is an attractive slim bezel AMD FreeSync enabled 27-inch monitor running at 1920 x 1080p with a refresh rate of 75 Hz. Some gaming communities might immediately dismiss a…